The new, innovative cash register at Tesco in Nyíregyháza swallows 100 bottles per minute

By: Trademagazin Date: 2025. 12. 22. 11:35

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In response to the demand for bottle returns, the supermarket chain’s first large-capacity vending machine, into which customers can add bottles in bulk, was put into operation on December 19th at the Tesco hypermarket in Nyíregyháza. Since the return system began, more than 500 million bottles have been returned to Tesco. The recently installed new technology aims to reduce waiting times and make environmentally conscious habits more convenient and hygienic.

Since the launch of the deposit-based system (DRS) last summer, Tesco supermarkets have become one of the most important locations for returns, where more than 500 million pieces of packaging have been returned through 366 slot openings in 149 stores’ vending machines. The Nyíregyháza hypermarket is one of the busiest of these, with three machines operating with a total of 5 slot openings.

To further expand capacity, a more modern solution was put into operation on December 19th by replacing one of the drop-in slots, which can handle beverage packaging in bulk at the same time. The TOMRA R2 type machine has a large, funnel-shaped dispensing slot into which customers can simply pour their own bottles, a mixture of plastic, metal and glass.

“The more than half a billion bottles returned are a good proof of the Hungarian population’s commitment to an environmentally conscious lifestyle. Sustainable operation is also key for us, which is why we support our customers with our fast and convenient solutions not only in their shopping, but also beyond. With the new machine introduced in Nyíregyháza, there is no longer any need to dispense beverage packages one by one, as the equipment can process up to 100 bottles per minute, which is several times the speed of traditional vending machines. We are confident that this will reduce queuing time, leaving our customers with more time for the things that are truly important to them”

– Nóra Hevesi, Head of Communications at Tesco-Global Zrt.

Technology for convenience

Although the storage capacity behind the machine’s wall remains the same as before, the user experience is completely different:

Speed: After the bottles are “bagged” in, the machine’s internal conveyor belt automatically sorts and separates the waste into the appropriate fractions (PET, metal, glass).
Hygiene: The user does not have to manually grab each bottle and insert it into the opening, making the process more hygienic and cleaner.
Mixed handling: The system intelligently handles mixed waste, so there is no need to separate the cans and bottles to be returned at home.

The machine is extremely intuitive to use, but Tesco and the manufacturer TOMRA pay special attention to ensuring that customers learn how to use it correctly. Therefore, during the introduction period, hostesses will help you find your way around, demonstrate the correct dispensing technique, and answer any questions you may have.

In a circle for a greener economy

Tesco is present in 149 locations nationwide in the national return network. Some of these are free-standing machines, while more than three-quarters are built-in. The former contain two, while the latter contain 3-7 collection cabinets, each of which can store 1,000 PET or aluminum bottles and 200-400 single-use bottles. The built-in, large machines also have a so-called soft drop module, which handles refillable bottles and moves them within the equipment in such a way that they do not break.

The single-use plastic and aluminum packaging waste deposited through the machines is delivered to MOHU through the supermarket chain’s own logistics system.